Continuous form feeding apparatus in selective printing machines



, 1956 A B. CROWELL EIAL 2,776,185 CONTINUOUS FORM FEEDING APPARATUS m SELECTIVE Nov. 13

PRINTING MACHINES v 6 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 30', 1952 Summers ARNOLD B (WOWEL'L HENRY A. AE/TFOAT .SIK i. I

CHES TE R K MAN/(IEW/CZ New. 13, 19 A. B. CROWELL ET AL 37 commuous FORM FEEDING APPARATUS m SELECTIVE i PRINTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 30, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 2- C E k I I BA-E) INVENTORS ARNOLD B CROWELL HENRY A. REITFORT CHESTER V MA/VK/EW/CZ 13,1956 A. a CROWELL ETAL, 2, CONTINUOUS FORM FEEDING APPARATUS IN SELECTIVE v PRINTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 30, 19.52 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 J R126 4W Z'mventors ARNOLD B CROWELL W HENRY A1 06/ TFORT FE 5 89 CHESTER v MAA/K/EW/CZ 2,770,185 IN SELECTIVE Nav. 13, 1956 A. B. CROWELL ETAL CONTINUOUS FORM FEEDING APPARATUS PRINTING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 30, 1952' I m m w E R R PM E 51 2 HuH M, I R 2 1. a W a w w MM fi w fiLi J 4 R Faint r .C U. a r 4 1 R a P m a R w m e m JG p m M w a /W H/R/O L Zinnentons ARNOLD ,B CROWELL HENRY A. RE/TFORT CHESTER V M/M/K E W/C Z Nov. 13, 1956 A. B. CROWELL ETAL 2,770,185

CONTINUOUS FORM FEEDING APPARATUS IN SELECTIVE PRINTING MACHINES Flled Dec. 30, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 United States Patent- CONTINUOUS FORM FEEDING APPARATUS IN SELECTIVE PRINTING MACHINES Arnold B. Crowell, Endi cott, and Henry A. Reitfort and Chester V. Mankiewicz, Vestal, N. Y., assignors tolnternational Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 30, 1952, Serial No. 328,758 4 Claims. (Cl. 10119) This invention relates to web or strip feeding apparatus and more particularly to apparatus to be used in conjunction with a printing machine wherein two record receiving strips and a carbon strip are fed from three separate supply rolls.

In such strip feeding apparatus certain difierent portions of the mechanism should operate in an invariable relation while other certain portions should operate in a definite but adjustable relation so as to make possible the proper timing for the printing operation.

The principal object of the invention is to provide apparatus apparatus of this kind which shall combine suitable control arrangements for the feeding mechanisms which advance the two record receiving strips and the carbon strip to the printing position.

An object of the invention is to provide improved strip feeding mechanisms to reduce the drag on a strip being fed and which the feed rollers must overcome in pulling strips through a machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide auxiliary feeding apparatus suited to cooperate with any electrically controlled high speed printer. The feeding apparatus is quite self-sufficient with separate drive motor, clutches and control cam contacts, relays, magnets and solenoids. It is suited for coordination with printing devices such as those of a record controlled transcriberby'connectioh through electrical cable for coordination with the printing cycle so that'printing and feeding operations follow in the proper sequence.

A further object of the invention is to provide strip feeding mechanisms which are capable of operation at high speed.

A still further object is to provide means in the feeding apparatus of this invention for punching a locating hole in the center of a record strip between each name and address group.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, byway of examples, the principle of the invention and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the moving parts of the strip feeding apparatus incorporating the invention.

Fig. 2 is a view partly in diagram of the printing mechanism of the printing machine.

Figs. 3a, 3b and 3c taken together comprise an electrical wiring diagram of the preferred form of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a timing diagram showing the timing desirable to close certain electrical contacts and circuits.

5 is a chart showing the sequence of operation of the sensing of the record cards and the printing on the print receiving strips.

The feeding apparatus of the present invention is intended to operate in conjunction with a printing machine such as that disclosed in the copending U. S. patent ap- 2,770,185 Fatented Nov. 13, 1956 plication Serial No. 227,671 of Arnold B. Crowell, filed May 22, 1951, and now matured into Patent No. 2,687,087. It is noted in that application that reference is made to record cards advancing through reading stations and impulses being carried therefrom to print control magnets. These magnets operate mechanism generally designated 172 in Fig. 2 of the present application which in turn controls the setting of type bars 178 to type setting positions in accordance with data punched in the record cards. When'the type bars are set, printing hammers are released to effect a lirie of printingimpressions. i i

T he present invention feeds two record receiving strips and a carbon strip to a printing position in the machine mentioned abovewhereaddre'ss labelsare printed "for the mailing of magazines, publications and the like. 'The strips are drawn from three separate supply rolls, 'over a cylindrical platen in such a manner that one record're ceiving strip called a Dick strip receives printing impressions directly from the printing means in the printing inachinc fwliile a second record receiving strip called the galley or duplicate strip will receive, through athird strip named a carbon strip, impressions which are a dupli care of the information recorded on the Dick strip. A device is also provided'in the feeding'apparatus for punch ing a round located hole in the center of the Dick strip between each name and address group. These holes are necessary for the'proper handling of the Dick strip in a device through which it must pass for attachment of individual address groups or form lengths to the magaQ- zines or publications. This latter device doesnot comprise any part ofthis invention and is not described herein.

Referring to Fig. 1, the power or driving mechanism used' to operate the various'strip feeding devices'corm prises an electric motor M which is provided with a small pulley 11, around which is drawn an endless'belt'12. Secured to a main drive shaft 13 is'a drive pulley 14, around which the endless belt 12 is passed. Motor M drives shaft 13 through endless belt 12, and shaft 13 drives an intermediate shaft 16 through gears lssanjd 16 A bevel gear 17 is fastened to shaft 10 and drives another bevel gear 18 secured to a vertical shaft 12. shaft 21 is driven from the vertical shaft 19 through bevel gears 21and 22. Feed roller shafts 23, 24 and 25 are driven from the shaft 20 through bevel gears 26, 2'7; 28, 29; so and 31.

Shaft 10 is driven from shaft 13 as described above and in turn drives a shaft 32 through gears 33 and 34. A shaft 35 is driven from shaft 32 through gears 36 and 37, there being a frictional coupling between gear 37 and a shaft 38. Secured to shaft 35 is a pulley 39, around which is drawn an endless belt 40. This belt is also passed around pulleys 41 and 42, each of which ha's'a frictional coupling connecting them to shafts 43 and 44 respectively. Shafts 43 and 44 are thus frictionally driven from pulleys 41 and 42 through belt 40. The frictional couplings between these pulleys and shafts is necessary because the Dick strip, galley strip and carbon strip take-up rolls are mounted on these shafts and the diameter of these rolls'changes continuously while theapparatus is in operation.

A spring clutch 45 which provides for line spacing on the Dick strip is driven by constantly rotating shaft 49 which is driven from shaft 13 through gears 47 and 48. Shaft 49 extends within a tube shaft 50. A driven element 46 of clutch 45 is secured to shaft 5.0 and is driven by constantly rotating shaft 49 through a spring connection not shown). A clutch control magnet 51 has an arma ture 51a which, upon energization of magnet 51, releases the driven element 49 resulting in the driving of shaft 50. A shaft 52 is driven from tube shaft 50 through bevel 3 gears 53 and 54. Shaft 52 in turn drives a shaft 55 through worm 56 and worm gear 57. A set of contact operating cams designated D are secured on shaft 55. A rear feed roller shaft 59 is driven from shaft 55 through gears 60 and 61.

Front feed roller shaft 62 is driven from the rear feed roller shaft 59 through gears 63 and 64. It should'be noted that the front feed roller shaft 62 and the rear feed roller shaft 59 as well as the contact operating D cams are under the control of the line spacing clutch 45. The line spacing clutch controls the spacing between printed lines and ejection of the three strips between address groups as described hereinafter in connection with the printing control circuits.

The mechanism which punches a round locating hole in the center of the Dick strip between each name and address group is driven from the vertical shaft 19. A shaft 65 is driven from shaft 19 through bevel gears 66 and 67. Shaft 65 in turn drives a transfer shaft 68 through gears 69 and 70. This transfer shaft drives a shaft 71 continuously through gears 72 and 73. A spring clutch 74 is provided through which motion is transmitted to a tube shaft 75. Shaft 71 extends within tube shaft 75. A driven element 76 of clutch 74 is secured to shaft 75 and is driven by constantly rotating shaft 71 through a spring connection (not shown). A clutch control magnet 77 has an armature 78 which upon energization of magnet 77 releases element 76 to drive shaft 75.. A cam follower 79 is pivotally mounted on a fixed stud 80 and carries a pair of rollers 81 which follow complementary cams 83'and 84 respectively secured to shaft 75. Rotation of cams 83 and 84 causes cam follower 79 to rock about stud 80 and reciprocate a punch 85 mounted on a bracket 86 which in turn is secured to follower 79.

The path of the galley strip Still referring to Fig. 1, it is seen that a feed roller 87 is secured to the shaft 25 and frictionally drives a roller 88 rotatably mounted on a rod 89. This rod extends from an arm 90 which .is carried by another rod 91 held fast by an arm 92. Links 93 and 94 connect arm 92 to a movable core 95 of a solenoid 96. A supply roll 97 of galley strip 98 is located beneath the feeding mechanisms, and strip 98 is passed between rollers 87 and 88 which pull the galley strip 98 from supply roll 97 and deliver it to a loop designated L. This strip 98 may be of greater width than the Dick strip or carbon strip when desired in order to allow space on the strip for notations regarding each address. A feed roller 99 is secured to shaft 62 and cooperates with a feed roller 100 fastened to shaft 59 to pull strip 98 from loop L around a trio of guides 101, 102 and 103 and over a cylindrical platen 104 which is located in a suitable position to cooperate with the type bars 178 of the printing machine when the feeding apparatus of this invention is assembled to the printing machine.

The surface speed of feed rollers 87 and 88 is such that the strip 98 will always be taken from supply roll 97 and delivered to loop L faster than feed roller 99 and its cooperating roller 100 pull the strip 98 from this loop. In order to regulate the feeding of strip 98 to the loop L, a bar 105 is provided which projects into and is supported by the loop. Bar 105 extends from an arm 106 which is carried by a rod 107. Also fastened to rod 107 is a triangular plate 108 which carries a pair of mercury switches 109 and 110. As a result of the faster surface speed of rollers 87 and 88, the loop L will lengthen and cause bar 105 which is supported by the loop to move down and thereby rotate rod 107 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1. The triangular plate 108 moves counterclockwise with rod 107 to cause mercury switch 109 to close. The angle at which mercury switch 109 is fixed on plate 108 is such that the switch will close when loop L reaches a predetermined length. The closing of this switch causes energization of the solenoid 96 which then attracts movable core to move it upwardly. Core 95 in turn causes rod 91 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction through links 93 and 94 which comprise a toggle. This rotation of rod 91 causes feed roller 88 to raise away from the galley strip 98 and feed roller 87 to prevent further feeding of the strip from the supply roll 97 to the loop L. As feed rollers 99 and continue to pull the strip 98 from loop L, as previously explained, the loop becomes shorter and raises bar until mercury switch 109 opens and causes solenoid 96 to be deenergized. The deenergization of solenoid 96 permits feed roller 88 to return to its normal position against the galley strip 98 and feed rollers 87 and again deliver the galley strip from the supply roll 97 to the loop L. This action is repeated continually as long as the apparatus remains in operation.

The carbon strip designated 111 is drawn from a supply roll 112, and the Dick strip designated 113 is taken from a supply roll 114. Two additional mercury switches 115 and 117 together with associated feeding mechanisms which are identical in construction and operation to the mechanism described above for feeding the galley strip are provided for regulating the feeding of carbon strip 111 and the Dick strip 113. Mercury switches 116 and 118 are also provided, one in each of the carbon and Dick strips feeding mechanisms. These switches are similar to switch in the galley strip feeding mechanism and are for a purpose described hereinafter. The circuits for energizing the solenoids 96 are described later in connection with the circuit diagram.

It is seen from Fig. 1 that strips 98 and 111 come together at guide 103 and are met by strip 113 at print platen 104 in such a manner that strip 113 is outermost and strip 98 is innermost and strip 111 interposed between the strips 113 and 98. This relative position of the strips permits Dick strip 113 to receive printing impressions directly from printing means in the printing machine while galley strip 98 will receive impressions which are a duplicate of the information recorded on strip 113 through the carbon strip 111. Each of the three strips passes between feed rollers 99 and 100 which pull the three strips from their respective loops, such as that designated L forthe galley strip, instead of directly from supply rolls 97, 112 and 114. This arrangement greatly reduces the drag which the feed rollers must overcome in pulling the strips through the machine.

It is noted from Fig. 1 that the punch 85 is located in the path of Dick strip 113 in a position to punch a round hole in a portion of the strip before it reaches platen 104. The punch 85 is controlled by the clutch magnet 77, as previously explained, which is so timed to permit the punch 85 to effect punching at intervals in the strip 113, as explained in detail in the description of the leader and punching circuits. After leaving feed rollers 99 and 100, the three strips 98, 111, and 113 pass over a guide 119. The bottom or galley strip 98 is then directed to shaft 38 where it is wound into a take-up roll 120. Strips 111 and 113 pass over an additional guide 121 from whence they are directed to shafts 44 and 43, respectively, where each strip is Wound into a take-up roll designated 122 and 123, respectively.

Provision is made in the feeding apparatus of this in vention to stop the printing operation in the event that any one of the three strip 98, 111 and 113 should break or its supply become depleted. When any of these contingencies occurs, the related loop either disappears or the tension on the loop is completely removed depending upon the location of the break. For this purpose the and rotate rod 107 approximately 90 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1. Plate 108 moves with rod 107 and causes the normally closed mercury switch 110 to open and stop the printing operation by breaking the runningcircuit of the printing machine described hereinafter in connection with the strip feeding regulating circuits. The mercury switches 116 and 118 function in a similar manner to stop printing in the event that either carbon strip 111 or Dick strip 113 breaks or becomes depleted in supply.

The record controlled printing machine In the following description of the printing machine, only those parts which are necessary for a complete understanding of the present invention will be included. For a detailed description of the printing machine, reference can be made to the patent of Arnold B. Crowell mentioned hereinbefore.

Record eard.-The record card 150 (Fig. 30) for controlling the operation of the printing mechanism shown in Fig. 2 is the well known IBM card provided with 80 columns of 12 index point positions. A predetermined column of the card is utilized to receive special perforations to identify the card as a particular type of so-called multiple line card and to control machine operations in varying manners.

Reading stuti0n.The record cards 150 (Fig. 3a) are fed to the sensing mechanism by a well known type of card feeding device. The cards are initially fed from a feed hopper to a reading station comprising a line of record sensing control brushes designated CB and cooperating with common contact rollers 151. Spaced a distance beyond brushes CB is a second row of brushes designated RBI identified as the first set of reading brushes. The distance between brushes CB and RB1 is defined as one card cycle, which is the distance from a given point on one card to the corresponding point on the adjacent card as they pass through the feed rollers of the machine. Two additional reading stations designated RB2 and RB3 are provided which are spaced a half cycle apart, and these three sets of reading brushes cooperate with conducting rollers 152, 153 and 154, re spectively.

Card [ever contacts-Between the card feeding device and the contact rollers 151 is located the usual card lever 155 which is rocked about its pivot by a passing card to close the usual card lever contacts CLl. Located between contact rollers 151 and 152 is a second card lever 156 which may also be rocked about its pivot to close the usual card lever contacts CL2.

Printing mechanism.Referring to Fig. 2, there is provided for each type bar a print selector magnet designated 157U shown in full lines and 157L shown in dotted lines. Through circuit connections to be described, the magnet 157U will be energized in response to the sensing of perforations by the reading brushes RBI and R133, while the magnet 157L may be energized a a result of the sensing of perforations by reading brushes RBZ.

Considering the mechanism in Fig. 2, the armature of magnet 157U engages a link 158 which is suitably mounted for vertical reciprocation and held in the position shown, wherein it is biased downwardly by a spring 159 acting on a lever 160 articulated with the upper end of link 158. The lower end of the link rides on the periphery of a fluted shaft 161, which is timed to present the high point of a flute to the link 158 for each index position or move specifically for each 18. Shaft 161 makes two revolutions per card cycle, and since it has ten flutes, they will pass a given point at the rate of twenty for each cycle.

During the rotation of shaft 161, the high points of the fiutes repeatedly contact the lower end of link 158, lifting it slightly away from the latching armature of magnet 157U. if at such time the magnet is energized, the link 158 will be released to follow the contour of the fluted haft 161 and then be returned upwardly by the next rise. Since a column may contain more than one perforation, this reciprocation of link 158 throughout its full stroke may occur one ormore times during the reading of a card.

Extending transversely across the machine is a set of six shafts designated 162-3, 1624, 1621, 1622, 1626 and 162-5 arranged vertically in Fig. 2 in the order named. Pivoted on each of these shafts is a bail which is generally designated 163, each of which is connected by a link 164 to a spring operated lever 165 pivoted on a shaft 166, and having a cam follower roller cooperating with a cam on a shaft 167. This shaft is driven through gearing (not shown) so as to make one revolution per machine cycle. As the shaft rotates, depressions in each cam will enable the related lever 165 to rock slightly counterclockwise under the action of its spring to draw down its link 164 and rock the related bail 163 slightly clockwise. The cams on shaft 167 are generally designated 163 and are known as code cams.

Thus, in response to the sensing of each perforated position in the card column, the different bails 163 or combinations of bails will be rocked. Each of these bails has pivoted thereto at 169 a finger 170 extending into a suitable opening in the link 158, so that as the link reciprocates vertically, it will rock the finger 170 about its pivot 169. For each link 158 there is provided a finger 170 associated with each of the six bails 163, and the operation of the six fingers 170 is the same, so that a detailed description of one will sufiice for all.

Taking, for example, the bail 163 associated with the shaft 162 3 in Fig. 2, the timing is such that bail 163 is rocked to bring its related finger 179 into close proximity of a slide 171, just before the link 158 descends in response to the sensing of a perforation and the consequent energization of magnet 15711. The rocking of the bail 163 brings the free end of finger 170 over the left hand end of slide 171, so that the downward movement of link 158; will cause the finger 170 to strike the left end of slide 171 and rock it downwardly. This movement of slide 171 actuates mechanism represented by the box 172 which in turn moves a rack 173 to position a related type bar. This action of tripping the slide 171 may occur throughout the reading or sensing period of the cycle, Whenever the link 1158 moves down its full stroke, and immediately after the tripping action the link is restored by the fluted shaft 161 in preparation for a possible further descent to trip the slide in another of the six positrons.

Still referring to Fig. 2, the teeth in the lower edge of rack 173 mesh with the teeth of a sector 174 pivoted at 175. A second set of teeth 176 on the segment 174 meshes with a rack portion 177 of a type bar 178. The type bar carries type printing elements designated 179 which are spaced along the bar at specific intervals. When the hole combination for a certain character is sensed in the record card, the rack and sector mechanism described above actuates type bar 178 to bring the corresponding type element 179 to the printing line. The type bar 178 is also provided with aligning teeth 180 which cooperate with a plate 181 which is operable to maintain the type bar in proper alignment.

The print hammer 182 is shown in Fig. 2 where it is shown as spring biased toward the right through lever 183 and spring 184. A trigger bail 185 engages under a shoulder on the hammer 132 normally holding it towward the left against the action of its spring. This bail is rocked clockwise twice each cycle through mechanism (not shown) to trip a print hammer and actuate a type element 1'79 on type bar 1'78 each time. Extending across in a notch in the right end of the print hammers 182 is a restoring bar 186 which is operated through linkage (not shown) to restore the print hammers after each firing.

The magnet 157L in each order controls a duplicate set of selector mechanisms (Fig. 2) operated from cams generally designated 168L mounted on -a shaft 167L and operating bails 163 from shafts designated L162-5,

L162-6, L162-2, L1621, L1624, L162-3 which in turn trips slides 171 of this lower set to actuate mechanism also represented by box 172 which in turn moves rack 173 to position a related type bar 178. The time in which the reading brushes RB2 transmit impulses to the magnets 157L occurs for each of the index point positions of the card at just 180 or a half cycle later than the sensing of the corresponding index position by brushes RB1 and R133. There is a period of overlapping of the reading operations, the sensing of the 11 index point position by brushes RBI, for example, being concurrent with the sensing of the 9 index point position of another card column by the brushes RB2. Also, the sensing of the 12 will be concurrent with the sensing of the 8 position in another column.

In Fig. 2 the print platen 104 of the strip feeding apparatus is shown positioned opposite an opening in the frame of the printing machine. The type bars 178 are positionable by the mechanism described above to effect printing impressions on the dick strip 113 and galley strip 98 through this opening. When it is desired to print on a Dick strip, the feeding apparatus of this invention is moved into a position to bring the platen 104 opposite the opening.

Illustrative problem.--The foregoing has described several mechanical components of the printing machine and briefly outlined the manner of their individual operation. A representative problem will now be described and thereafter the operation of the printing machine will be set forth briefly to explain the manner in which the machine functions in carrying out the problem presented. This problem will be described to explain the principle of multiple line printing. The printing machine is here considered to be operating Without the feeding apparatus of the present invention assembled.

Referring to Fig. 3a, a group of four cards designated as card 1, card 11, card III and card IV are fed through the printing machine in the order named, and each will selectively control the printing of one, two or three lines of data on the Dick strip 113. Each card is indicated as having four data fields in which items generally designated' A, B, C or E are represented. These are denoted by letters for simplicity of explanation, but in reality constitute perforations in columns according to the coding arrangement. The extreme right hand columns are variously coded as indicated by perforations 12,1; 12,2; 12,3; etc., or left blank, and the machine will be controlled thereby, as will be explained.

The term machine cycle as herein employed represents one revolution of the main drive shaft of the printing machine and also one revolution of the contact controlling cams prefixed with a C. With the record cards placed in the feed hopper, the machine is started through a well known start circuit. card feeding device near the end of this cycle so that at the beginning of the next machine cycle the first card will be advanced to the control brushes CB (Fig. 3a) to a position where the first or 9 row of index point positions is about to pass the brushes. The brushes CB are connected by a plugwire 193 to a plughub 210. The timing of the contact operating cams prefixed C and F is shown in the forementioned application of Arnold B. Crowell. The relationship between these contacts is such that, when both are in operation, they are in synchronism, that is, zero time for the C cams coincides with zero time for the F cams.

As the card moves from the hopper up to the control brushes CB, it will engage and close the first card lever 155 to close card lever contacts CL1, so that a circuit will be completed therethrough by cam contacts F13 from line side 190 to line side 191 to energize a relay R561 at slightly past the midpoint of the second cycle. R561 closes its contacts to provide a holding circuit through contacts F14, and through the overlap in the operation of these two cam contacts, R561 will remain continuously The cards are moved by the a 8 energized as long as cards are fed from the hopper. Near the end of the second machine cycle, a second card feed cycle is initiated, during which the first card is advanced past the control brushes CB, and the next following card is advanced from the hopper up to the control brushes.

Since, for the example chosen, it is assumed that this first card (Card I) does not contain perforations in its last card column, no circuits will be completed through the control brushes CB for the first card. During the third cycle, the first card will engage the second card lever 156 to close the related card lever contacts CL2 which will energize relay R562 through contacts F13, and consequently closure of the a contacts of R562 will set up a holding circuit through contacts P14 in parallel with the holding circuit for R561. R562 closes b contacts in Fig. 3a to connect the common brush of the first reading station RBI to line 190, through contacts F17 and circuit breaker contacts C5.

During the fourth cycle, the first card (Card I) will pass the first set of reading brushes RBI, and data in E field thereof will be sensed and circuits completed to condition the printing mechanism to print the data contained in this E field. At the same time the second card (Card ID will pass the control brushes CB Where the code designation 12,1 will be sensed, and the third card (Card III) will be advanced from the hopper and fed up to the control brushes CB. As the E field of Card I traverses the first set of reading brushes RBI, circuits will be completed from line 190, contacts C5, F17, b contacts of R562, the common contact roller 152 of these brushes, through the perforations in the card, brushes.

RBI, plug connection 192, normally closed a contacts of relay R and upper print magnet 157U to line side 191.

In any column of the E field the related print magnet 157U will be energized for each perforation present in such column, and under control of the mechanism previously explained will set up on the upper set of control mechanism of Fig. 2 the appropriate number of slides or latches 171. The setting of this mechanism takes place in the first half of the fourth machine cycle, and the print hammers are tripped to print the resultant type bar setting in the following (fifth) cycle.

The code designations of Card 11, namely, the perforations in the 1 and 12 positions of the right hand column, are sensed by the control brushes CB, which at the 1 time in this cycle will complete circuits from line 190, through contacts C5, F17, b contacts of R561, common contact roller 151, brush CB in the highest position, plug connection 193, contacts F8 (closed at 1 time), b contacts (normal) of relay R10, relay R122 to line side 191. Later at the 12 time, a parallel circuit extends from the plug connection 193, contacts F7 through R121 to line 191. These two relays close their respective a contacts to set up parallel holding circuits through contacts F6- which Card 11 passes the first set of reading brushes RBI and the data in its A field will be read by these brushes.

Referring to Fig. 3a, closure of contacts P15 in the second machine cycle and the c contacts of R562 in the third cycle has energized relay R565 which closed its a contacts to provide a holding circuit through contacts C68. R565 closes its 0 contacts to complete a circuit from line 190, contacts F13, 0 contacts of R565 and pick-up winding of R566. Relay 566 closes its a contacts to provide a holding circuit through contacts C67, and due to the overlap in timing of C67 and F13, R565 and R566 will remain energized as long as the card feed continues to operate. R565 closes b contacts to connect the common brush of the second reading station RB2 to 9 line 190, through contacts C71 and circuit breaker contacts C5. Similarly R566 closes its b contacts to connect the common brush of the third reading station RB3 to line 190, through contacts C72 and circuit breaker contacts C5.

During the second half of the fourth cycle, the first card passes the second or intermediate set of reading brushes RB2, but no circuits will be completed therethrough because the :2 contacts of R136 are open during this period.

In the first part of the fifth machine cycle, the first card is passing the third or last reading brushes R133 (Fig. 3a) with no circuits being completed therethrough, because the relay R131 is energized during this period, and its b contacts are shifted to discontinue any circuits to the plug connection 195 extending to this last set of reading brushes. Concurrently the second card (Card II) is passing the first set of reading brushes RBI, where the data in the A field thereof will be read and will control the printing selection circuits through the following representative circuit that extends from the common contact roller 151 to the first set of reading brushes RBI, plug connection 192, plug connection 213, b contacts of R131 (now shifted), a contacts of R145 (shifted) to the upper print selecting magnet 157U and thence to line side 121.

As a result, the data in the field A of the second card will be printed during the next following or sixth machine cycle. While this setting is taking place, Card III containing the multiple line code designation 12,2 indicating that this card is to control the printing of two lines from its A and B fields is passing the control brushes CB, where the 12 and 2 perforations in the right hand column are sensed to complete circuits similar to those traced for the preceding card which extend through the plug connection 193 and contacts F8 and F9 in parallel to energize R122 and R124 in response to sensing the 2 perforation. It should be noted that the contacts of relay R10 in these circuits are not shifted because R10 is not energized. In response to the sensing of the 12 hole, R121 will again be energized as before, and the holding circuits will be established through their contacts and F6 from the middle of the fifth cycle through the beginning of the following cycle. Since both R121 and R122 are energized, relay R131 and R145 will be energized and held as before. In addition thereto, and as a result of the energization of R124, relays R134 and R136 will be energized through the 0 contacts of R121 and R124 in circuit with contacts F4 (Figs 3a, 3b). R134 closes its a contacts to provide a holding circuit through contacts C46 (Fig. 3c) which will maintain R134 and R136 energized from the middle of the fifth cycle through the beginning of the sixth cycle.

As this Card III passes the first set of sensing brushes RBI, print circuits are completed in response to sensing of the data in the A field of the card from these reading brushes (Fig. 3a) through plug connections 192, plug connection 213, b contacts of R131, a contacts of R145 (shifted) to the print selecting magnets 157U of the upper set. As a result, this data from field A will be printed under control of the first reading brushes RBI.

During the latter half of the sixth machine cycle, the B field of Card 111 passes the intermediate set of reading brushes RB2, and circuits will be completed to energize the print selecting magnets 157L of the lower set through the following representative circuit extending from the intermediate brushes RB2 (Fig. 3a), plug connections 194, a contacts of R136 (now closed) and print selecting magnets 157L of the lower set. This reading of both the A and B fields of Card III results in the firing of the print hammers to effect actual printing in the following or seventh cycle.

In the preceding cycle (cycle 6), while the fourth card (Card IV) with the code 12,3 is passing the control brushes CB, circuits are completed from the control brush CB reading the right hand column of the card and extending through plug connection 193, contacts F8, F9 and F111 (Fig. 3a) to energize R122, R124 and R125, all of which close their a contacts to provide holding circuits through F6. As before and at the 12 times in the cycle, R121 is again energized through F7 so that at the end of cycle 6 four relays are energized, R121, R122, R124 and R125, and these will control the establishment of circuits, whereby the three lines A, B and C of this fourth card will be printed in succession. The closure of the b contacts of R121 and R122 will energize R131 and R145 as before, and R131 will close its a contacts to provide a holding circuit for these relays (Fig. 30). R125 closes b contacts (Fig. 3b) so that now a relay R142 will become energized through a circuit (Figs. 3a, 3b) from line 190, contacts F5, b contacts of R121, and b contacts of R125 to the pick-up winding of R142 and line side 191.

R142 is thus energized concurrently with R131 and R and closes its a cont-acts (Fig. 30) to provide a holding circuit for R142 and R145 through contacts C45. R134 is energized throughout the second half of cycle 6, during which the contacts C45 open and reclose again so that R142 and R145 will remain energized for a period extending throughout cycle 7 and into the second half of cycle 8.

With these relays energized as explained, Card IV in passing the first set of reading brushes will have circuits completed through perforations in its A field traceable from the brushes RBI through plug connections 192, plug connection 213, b contacts of R131 (shifted), a contacts of R145 (shifted) to the print selecting magnets 157U of the upper section and line side 191.

In the following half of cycle 7, the same Card IV is traversing the intermediate set of reading brushes RB2 which traverse the B field of this card, through plug connections 194, a contacts of R136 (now closed) to print selecting magnets 15'7L of the lower set and line side 191. Finally, as the Card IV traverses the third set of reading brushes RES in the first half of the eighth cycle, perforations in .the C field will complete circuits from these brushes through plug connections 195, b contacts of R131 which are now back in normal position, a contacts of R145 (shifted) to the print selecting magnets 157U of the upper set.

It is thus noted that for this three-line card the first line (A) is set up on the upper print selecting mechanism, the second line (B) is set up on the lower print selecting mechanism, and the third line (C) is set up on the upper mechanism with the operations overlapping so that the printing of the first line occurs during the setting up of the data for printing the third line.

It is necessary to skip a card feed cycle following the sensing of the three-line card, that is, the card feed is interrupted to prevent the next following card from passing brushes RBI, where such following card is of the type represented by the first, second, third or fourth cards hereinbefore considered. The reason for this is that the C field of the three-line card is passing the last reading brushes R133 for control of the upper print selecting mechanism, which mechanism is also controlled by the first set of reading brushes RBI past which this next card would pass if not interrupted, thereby bringing about a conflict. The interruption of the card feed is effected by opening of b contacts of R142 (Fig. 30) which interrupt the circuit to card feed clutch magnet 196, which prevents resumption of the energization of the card feed clutch magnet, so that the picker mechanism and the mechanism for feeding the cards to the first set of reading brushes RBI will be interrupted.

It is noted that at the end of cycle 6, R142 is energized after R122 has been energized and held, and after magnet 196 has been energized to initiate feed cycle 7. During cycle 7, at the time magnet 196 would normally be energized to continue the card feed, R122 and R142 are now 11 both energized, so that there is no circuit path in Fig. 3c to reener-gize magnet 25, and the F cams come to rest.

As explained above, the advent of a three-line card brings about the interruption of the card feeding mechanism for one cycle following such card. When, however, the immediately following card is one having the code designation 12,4, this interruption will be prevented. For example, a 12,4 card has its code designations sensed by brushes CB during cycle 8, at which time circuits are completed from the control brushes through the plug connection 193 as before, thence through contacts F9 and F7 (at the 4 and 12 times, respectively), to energize R124 and R121.

The preceding three-line card has caused cnergization of R142, and this opens its 11 contacts (Fig. 3c) to interrupt the circuit to the card feed clutch magnet 1%. However, the now energized relay R124 has closed its 12 contacts, and there is now provided a shunt circuit around the open b contacts of R142, so that the magnet 196 is held energized and feeding is not interrupted.

It will be recalled from the preceding three-line card that the first line thereof was read by the first set of reading brushes RBI, the second line by the intermediate reading brushes RB2, and the third line by the last or third set of reading brushes RB3. As the C field of the threeiine card passes the third set of reading brushes, the 12,4 card is passing the first set of reading brushes RBI, but no circuits are completed through the latter because these particular reading brushes are not connected.

In the second half of cycle 9, the B field of the 12,4 card passes the intermediate reading brushes R132, and circuits are completed in the now familiar manner to energize the print selecting magnets 157L of the lower set to effect printing the data in the B field of this card.

It will thus be noted that a three-line card (coded 12,3), when followed by any card other than one coded 12,4, will bring about interruption of card feeding for one cycle. This has the effect of causing printing from such following card to be spaced from the data derived from the three-line card. Where a card coded 12,4 is present, this skipped cycle is omitted which also omits the incidental spacing, so that printing from the 12,4 card follows immediately after the printing from the three-line card.

It is thus seen from the description of the foregoing circuits that single or multiple line printing can be effected by the record controlled printing machine. it will now be explained how the strip feeding apparatus of this invention is used in conjunction with printing machine.

Printing control circuits for printing machine and strip feeding apparatus ass mbled All record cards of the well known IBM type passed through the feeding mechanism of the printing machine when the strip feeding apparatus is connected for use are multiple line printing cards, hereinafter referred to as MLP cards. These cards have been described hereinbefore in connection with the printing machine and are punched 12,2; 12,3; 12,4; in the extreme right hand coi umn (Fig. 3a) reserved to receive the MLP code. There are two cards in each regular name and address group, the first card having 12,2 code perforations therein and the second card having 12,3 coding. The first line printed is the name, and the remaining three lines contain the address.

In order to achieve the maximum printing speed of which the printing machine is capable (approximately four hundred lines per minute), it is necessary to read the first card by the intermediate set of reading brushes R132 and transmit the information punched in the B field of the card to the lower print selecting magnets 157L (Fig. 3a). Since for the purpose of printing a name and address on a Dick strip, the desired effect is to have four lines printed, it is necessary to make the 12,2 coding in the first card affect the MLP control circuits in the printing machine to efiect printing of a single line. When the strip feeding apparatus is assembled to the printing machine, at Jones plug connection 199 (Fig. 3b) is closed to energize a relay R10. This relay remains energized all the time that the feeding apparatus is assembled and maintains its normally open a, c and e contacts closed and its b and d contacts shifted during machine operation (Figs. 3a, 315). As the first card passes the control brushes CB (Fig. 3a), the perforations in the 2 and 12 positions of the right hand column are sensed by the control brushes which at the 2 time will complete circuits from the common contact roller 151 and brush CE in the highest position, plug connection 193, contacts F8 (now closed), d contacts of relay R10 (shifted), contacts F9 to pick-up winding P of R124. At the same time, a parallel circuit extends from the connection 193, through 0 contacts of relay R10 (now closed), through R121 to line side 191. It should be noted that a later impulse at the 12 time is not necessary here since the circuit is conditioned by relay R10 to energize relay R121 Whenever an impulse is sent through plug connection 193. This is accomplished by the closing of contacts R which complete "a shunt circuit around contacts F7 to relay R121. It is thus seen that relay R121 is energized at the same time that any of relays R122, R124 or R125 are energized. These two relays R121 and R124 close their respective 2. contacts to set up parallel holding circuits through F6 (Fig. 3c). The energization of R121 and R124 will set up circuits to cause the printing-machine to operate as explained hereinbefore in connection with the description of the printing machine.

The second card of a name and address group is always coded 12,3 in the right hand column as explained hereinbefore. Unless a care of address is to be printed, this card is the last card in the name and address group, and from it three lines are printed, namely, the street, the city and state, and code. The code includes such data as expiration date, customer number, etc. As this card passes control brushes CB, the perforations in the 3 and 12 positions are sensed by the control brushes which at the 3 time will complete circuits from the common contact roller 151 and brush CB in the highest position and plug connection 193 to energize R121, R122, R124, and R125. The circuit R125 is as follows: through contacts F8, d contacts of R10 (shifted), contacts F10 to R125 and line 191. The circuit to R124 is through contacts F8, d contacts of R10 (shifted), contacts F9 to R124 and line 191. The circuit to R122 is through contacts F8, d contacts of R10 (shifted), contacts F10, b contacts of R10 (shifted), to R122 and line 191. These relays close their a contacts to provide holding circuits through F6 (Fig. 3c). Relay R121 is energized at the same time. The energization of R121, R122, R124, and R125 will set up circuits to cause the printing machine to operate as previously explained.

Referring now to the sequence of operation chart of Fig. 5, it is seen that the first card of the name and address group causes the name to be printed near the middle of a printing machine cycle. The first line (street) taken from the second card is printed one-half cycle later. The second line (city and state) of the second card, which is the third line of the address, is printed one-half cycle after the printing of the street line, and similarly the third line (code) of the second card is printed one-half cycle after the city and state line. This sequence continues as long as these two card name and address groups are fed through the printing machine. It is therefore noted that two machine cycles of the printing machine are required to print a complete address and code number on one form length of Dick strip. A form length is the distance between the first lines for receiving printing impressions in adjacent address groups.

In the case where a care of address is to be printed, the name and address group is comprised of three cards instead of two. The first card in this group has 12,2 code perforations, and the first line (name) is printed from this card, as previously explained. The second card 15 coded 12,3 as before, but only two lines are printed from this card. The care of name is punched in the A field or first line field in this card, and the street is punched in the B or second line field. Although data may be punched in the C or third line field of the second card, it will not be printed because contacts R131b (Fig. 3a) are transferred at that time to open the circuit to the reading brushes R133 when this C field is read. The third and last card of this name and address group has 12,4 perforations in the right hand column, although it does not cause the printing machine to operate in the same manner as a normal 12,4 card which has been described hereinbefore. The 12,4 card employed for the Dick strip printing operation may be considered as a three-line card with the second line omitted. The city and state data is punched in the A field of the third or 12,4 card, and the code (expiration date, etc.) is recorded in the C field of this card.

In order to achieve the desired eifect with the three card group, the third line control relay R125 is energized through th e contacts of relay R10 and cam contacts F20 which close at the 4 time. The first line control relay R122 is energized at the 4 time through cam contacts F8 and F10 as previously explained. At the 12 time, the control relay R121 has already been energized as explained previously. Since a third line of data is not read from the preceding or 12,3 card by the reading brushes RB3 and entered into the upper print selecting magnets 157U, the first line from the 12,4 card can be read by the reading brushes RBI and entered into the magnets 157U at the same time that the 12,3 card is passing the reading brushes R133. Thus, the necessity for interrupting the operation of the picker mechanism and the mechanism for feeding the cards to the reading brushes RB1 for one cycle as in normal MLP operation, which was explained hereinbefore in connection with the description of the printing machine, is eliminated. Therefore, when MLP operation of the printing machine is used in conjunction with the strip feeding apparatus of the present invention, a shunt circuit (Fig. 3c) is established through the b contacts of R124 (now closed), normally closed contacts of R122, and card feed clutch magnet 196, so that magnet 196 is held energized and feeding is not interrupted.

Dick strip feeding control circuits The leader switch circuits.After the Dick strip 113, carbon strip 111 and galley strip 98 have been initially positioned in the feeding apparatus, as shown in Fig. 1, it is necessary before any printing is effected on the Dick strip to initiate and repeat a cycle of operation which is comprised of operating the punch 85 and advancing the three strips 113, 111 and 98 one form length until a punched hole in the Dick strip 113 appears above the platen 104. A form length is the distance between the first lines for receiving printing impressions in adjacent address groups, as previously stated. This operation is required to insure that the first address group will be printed between two punched holes. For this purpose a leader switch 198 (Fig. 3b) is provided to control the preliminary operation.

The line spacing clutch 45 may become effective to drive feed rollers 99 and 100 at any one of sixteen points on the line spacing cycle timing, as shown in the chart of Fig. 4, at the time that leader switch 198 is depressed and closed. It should be noted from Fig. 4 that the strip feeding apparatus feeds two form lengths on each machine cycle of operation of the feeding apparatus, there being eight line spaces for each form length. Before the leader switch circuits can be completed, it is necessary to energize a relay R10, as explained previously, by completing a circuit from line 190 through the Jones plug connection 199, relay R to line side 191. For the purpose of explaining the operation of the leader switch circuits, it is arbitrarily assumed that the line spacing clutch 45 is effeotive at 45 to drive rollers 99 and when leader switch 198 is closed (Fig. 3b). Depressing leader switch 198 closes its contacts to establish a circuit from line side through these contacts to the pick-up coil of a relay R12 and to line side 19 1. The energization of relay R12 closes its a contacts which completes a holding circuit from line side 190 through cam contacts D1, a contacts of R10 (shifted), a contacts of relay R12, the hold coil of relay R12 to line side 191. Since it is assumed that the clutch 45 is at 45 of the cycle and not in home position, cam contacts D2 (Fig. 3a) are closed and a relay R14 is energized through the following circuit: line side 190, cam contacts D2, b contacts of R12 (shifted), pick-up coil of relay R14 to line side 191. Relay R14 closes its a contacts to provide a holding circuit through cam contacts D1 and a contacts of R10 (shifted).

If the Dick strip is not in the home position which is line one at the time leader switch 198 is depressed the first time, the Dick strip will immediately be ejected without punching the feed hole through circuits set up under control of cam contacts D2. Cam contacts D4 are open at this time and a circuit to the punch clutch magnet 77 cannot be completed. When the leader switch is depressed at the second time or any succeeding time, then a punch cycle is initiated in order to set up an eject through cam contacts P1 which close only on a punching operation.

The energization of relays R12 and R14 closes their c and 12 contacts respectively to complete a connection to the grid 20011 of a thyratron 200 as follows: line side 190, b contacts of R14, 0 contacts of R12, normally closed b contacts of relay R16, resistance 203 to grid 200a. It is noted that a source of bias voltage 201 is connected through the bias resistor 202 to grid 199a. This bias voltage is not sulficient to fire thyratron 200, but the positive potential placed on grid 200a from the connection traced above is sufficient to render thyratron 200 conductive. The firing of the thyratron 200 causes energization of the line spacing clutch control magnet 51, which is in the plate circuit of the thyratron, through a circuit as follows: line side 191, magnet 51, thyratron 200 to line side 190. At this time the d contacts of R12 are also closed to energize a relay R16 through a circuit from line 190, b contacts of R14, d contacts of R12, pick-up coil of relay R16 to line 191. The energization of relay R16 closes its a contacts which completes a holding circuit from line 190, normally closed a contacts of R570, a contacts of R16 to line 191. The energization of relay R16 also causes its normally closed 11 contacts to open and break the connection from line 190 to grid 200a of thyratron 200. This breaking of the connection to the grid 200a of thyratron 200 will permit the extinguishing of the thyratron and subsequent deenergization of the line spacing clutch magnet 51 when desired.

It should be noted that the circuit connection to the grid of thyratron 200 which was traced above is completed at the same time that relay R16 is energized to cause the normally closed R16b contacts to open the grid circuit. Nevertheless, thyratron 200 will aways fire under this condition because the ionization time of thyratron 200 is much less than the time required for relay R16 to open its b contacts.

The energization of line spacing clutch magnet 51 causes rotation of feed rollers 99 and 100 as explained hereinbefore to eject strips 98, 111 and 113 until cam contacts D3 make between line eight (last line of a form) and line one (first line of the next form) at 183 (Fig. 4). The closure of cam contacts D3 establishes a connection to the grid 204a of a thyratron 204 as follows: line side 190, cam contacts D3, 0 contacts R14 (shifted), circuit breaker cam contacts D5, resistance 205 to grid 204a. The source of bias voltage 201 is connected through the bias resistor 206 to grid 2040:. This bias voltage is not sufficient to fire thyratron 204, but the positive potential placed on grid 204a from the connection traced above is sufiicient to render thyratron 204 conductive. The firing of the thyratron 204 causes energization of relay R570, which is in the plate circuit of the thyratron, through a circuit as follows: line side 191, relay R570, thyratron 204 to line side 190. Energization of relay R570 opens its normally closed a contacts to break the holding circuit for relay R16 which causes the b contacts of relay R16 to again close. Also; a pulse is transmitted through a capacitor 207 to extinguish thyratron 200 which results in the deenergization of line spacing clutch magnet 51. Thus, line spacing clutch 45 is permitted to latch and stop movement of the strips 98, 111 and 113 at 202.5 on line one (home position). Referring to Fig. 4, it is noted that at 185 the cam contacts D1 break and cause relays R14, R12, and R16 to deenergize. This is necessary to prevent retiring of thyratron 200 by causing either or both of the normally open relay contacts R14b and R120 to open before the normally closed relay contacts R1612 close.

With the line spacing clutch 45 latched at 202.5 (home position), depressing the leader switch 198 a second time again results in the energization and holding of relay R12 as previously explained. However, since cam contacts D2 are not closed at 202.5", relay R14 will not be energized and the normally open relay contacts R14b will not close. The thyratron 200 is therefore not fired, and the line spacing clutch magnet 51 remains de-energized. Consequently, all the D cams remain stationary in their 202.5 position.

Again referring to Fig. 4, it is seen that cam contacts D4 are closed at 2025" and a circuit is completed through the punch clutch magnet 77 (Fig. 3b) as follows: line side 190, cam contacts D4, normally closed a' contacts of relay R14, contacts of relay R12 (now closed), magnet 77 to line side 191. The energization of magnet 77 causes the punch mechanism to begin a cycle of operation in which a hole is punched in the Dick strip 113. Cam contacts P1 close during the punch cycle to complete a circuit through relay R14 as follows: line side 191, cam contacts P1, 1) contacts of R12 (shifted), pick-up coil of relay R14 to line side 190. Relay R14 holds through cam contacts D1 as previously described. The energization of relay R14 closes its b contacts to cause the energization of the line spacing clutch magnet 51 through the firing of thyratron 200 as described hereinbefore. This operation, comprising the punching of the Dick strip 113 and the ejecting of the three strips 98, 111 and 113 to the first line of the next form, is repeated each time the leader switch 198 is depressed and must be repeated until a hole in the Dick strip appears above the platen 104.

In the foregoing description of the leader circuits, it was assumed that when the leader switch 198 was initially depressed, the feeding apparatus was not in its home position. In this instance, the three strips 98, 111 and 113 are ejected to home position before the punching cycle and form length ejection cycle are begun. If the feeding apparatus is in its home position at the time the leader switch 198 is first depressed, the initial ejection of the strips will not occur. Instead, a. punching cycle and a form length ejection cycle will immediately follow depression of the leader switch.

Also, in the description ofthe leader circuits, it has further been assumed that the leader switch 198 is released immediately after depressing it, thereby making it necessary to depress the leader switch a number of times before a punched hole in the Dick strip 113 appears above the platen 104. However, this mode of operation is not essential to the successful operation of the feeding apparatus. If desired, the leader switch may be held in the above the platen.

The line spacing circuits.Assuming an ordinary print ing cycle of the printing machine, then cam contacts CR34, Fig. 3b, are closed early in the cycle, and the line spacing magnet 51 is energized by the energization of thyratron 200 through the following connection: from line side 190, through cam contacts CR34, normally closed b contacts or relay R16, resistance 203 to the grid 200a of thyratron 200. The bias voltage 201 causes thyratron 200 to fire as explained hereinbefore. The firing of thyratron 200 causes energization of line spacing magnet 51 for a single line space through a' circuit as follows: line side 191, magnet 51, thyratron 200 to line side 190. Magnet 51 is energized but momentarily, but it is sustained long enough to engage the clutch 45 (Fig. 1) for one step of motion which is equivalent to a line space advance on the Dick strip.

As soon as the clutch 45 engages to permit spacing, circuit breaker cam contacts D5 close (Fig. 4) and a connection is established as follows: line side 190, 0 contacts of relay R14 (not shifted), cam contacts D5 to the grid 204a of thyratron 204. The bias voltage 201 causes thyratron 204 to become conductive as explained hereinbefore. The firing of thyratron 204 causes energization of relay R57 0 through a circuit previously traced and a pluse to be transmitted through capacitor 207 to extinguish thyratron 200 which results in the deenergization of line spacing clutch magnet 51 and the disengagement of the clutch 45 after the strips 98, 111 and 113 have moved only a single line space. The three strips stop after they have been advanced one line space.

It was noted that at the time the stop relay R570 was picked up, the line spacing magnet 51 was deenerg ized. Thisrelay is effective, as shown in Fig. 3b, to open its a contacts in the holding circuit for magnet R16 to cause this magnet to drop out and allow the R161) contacts to return to their normally closed position. This conditions the connection to grid 200a of thyratron 200 for completion on the next printing cycle of the printing machine.

The strip ejecting circuits-As was previously explained, all record cards pertaining to the same name and address group have the same code number punched in the last card in the extreme right hand column (Fig. 3a) reserved to receive the MLP code. A change in this code number indicates the beginning of a new name and address group. When a change in code number isjsensed by the brushes CB of the printing machine, an impulse is transmitted by a plugwire 208 to a plughub 209 and causes the feeding apparatus to eject the strips 98,111

and 113 to line one ofthe next following form. The

last card of a name and address group is always an MLP 3 card or an MLP 4 card and is coded as such in'the column of the card reserved for MLP coding. The brushes CB of the printing machine are also connected-by plugwire 193 to the plughub designated 210 as previously explained.

An impulse from control brushes CB, as explained above, which is directed to plughub 209 energizes a relay R18 (Fig. 3a) through a circuit as follows: line side 190, through contacts C5, F17, b contacts of R561, common contact roller 151, brush CB, plug connection 208, pick-up coil of relay R18, wire 211 to line side 191. Relay R18 closes its 0 contacts to provide a holding circuit through cam contacts C58. 7 These cam contacts are timed to open at 310 of each printing machine cycle (Fig. 5). However, relay R18 is not deenergized-when cam contacts C58 (Fig. 3b) open in the first printing machine cycle because these contacts are shunted by the normally open c contacts of relay R142 which are now closed as a result of the energization of relay R142by the MLP 3 or MLP 4 code punched in the last card of the preceding name and address group. At 225 in the second printing machine cycle, cam contacts C45 (Fig. 3c) open to break the holding circuit for relay R142 and cause this relay to deenergize. The 0 contacts ofR142 '17 are then opened to allow relay R18 to be deenergized at 310 when the cam contacts C58 open.

When relay R142 is deencrgized at 225 in the second printing machine cycle, the normally closed d contacts of relay R142 (Fig. 3a) close and energize a relay R20 through a circuit as follows: line side 191, cam contacts C27 (closed at 225), normally closed d contacts of R142, b contacts of relay R18 (now closed), through the pick-up coil of relay R20, wire 211 to line side 191. Relay R20 closes its a contacts to provide a holding circuit through cam contacts C31 which keep relay R20 energized until 120 of the next or third printing machine cycle. The energization of relay R20 causes its normally open 12 contacts to close, and when cam contacts F4 close at 55 in the third printing machine cycle, a circuit is established to energize relay R14 as follows: line side 190, cam contacts F4, b contacts of R20, normally closed b contacts of relay R12, pick-up coil of relay R14, wire 211 to line side 191. Relay R14 closes its a contacts to provide a holding circuit through cam contacts D1 and the contacts of relay R (now closed). Relay R14 is held energized until 185 in this line spacing cycle at which time the strips 93, 111 and 113 are ejected almost to the line one position of the next following form.

Cam contacts C37 (Fig. 3b) close at 180 of this third printing machine cycle to establish a connection to the grid 200:: of thyratron 200 as follows: line side 191, cam contacts C37, normally closed b contacts of relay R16, resistance 203 to the grid 2000 of thyratron 200. The thyratron 200 is rendered conductive in the same manner as described hereinbefore to cause the line spacing clutch magnet 51 to be energized. The energization of magnet 51 causes the clutch 45 to engage and cause ejection of strips 98, 111 and 113 until cam contacts D3 close at 183 on the following line spacing cycle which is just before the strips reach the line one printing position. When cam contacts D3 close, a connection is completed to the grid 204a of thyratron 204 as follows: line side 190, cam contacts D3, c contacts of R14 (shifted), cam contacts D5, resistance 205 to the grid 204a of thyratron 204. The thyratron 204 is rendered conductive in the same manner as described hereinbefore to cause thyratron 200 to be extinguished and the magnet 51 to be deenergized as previously explained. The deenergization of magnet 51 causes the clutch 45 to disengage when the strips are in the line one printing position at 202.5 in the line spacing cycle.

The punching circuit.At the time that the line spacing mechanism is in the line one position which is 22.5" or 202.5 in a line spacing cycle, the cam contacts D4 are closed (Fig. 3b). Cam contacts F24 close at 306 in the printing machine cycle to complete a circuit to the punch clutch magnet 77 as follows: line side 190, cam contacts D4, cam contacts F24, through punch clutch magnet 77 to line side 191. The energization of magnet 77 causes the clutch 74 (Fig. l) to engage and operate the punching mechanism to punch a hole in the Dick strip 113. In this manner a hole is punched in the strip 113 every time the line spacing mechanism reaches the line one position.

The Strip feeding regulating circuits Each of the strips 98, 111 and 113 are fed to a loop designated L (Fig. 1) as previously explained in connection with the path followed by the galley strip 98. Referring to Fig. 3b, it is seen that each of the mercury switches 109, 115 and 117 are in circuits which are parallel to each other, and each controls a separate solenoid 96. The closing of any switch 109, 115 or 117 will energize its respective solenoid 96 by completing a circuit from line side 190 through the closed switch and its respective solenoid 96 to line side 191. When a solenoid 96 is energized, the rod 91 (Fig. 1) is rotated counterclockwise to cause feed roller 88 to raise away from the associated strip 98, 111 or 113 and feed roller 87, thereby preventing further feeding of the strip from its supply roll to the loop L. When the loop L becomes shorter, bar is raised until the associated mercury switch opens and breaks the circuit to solenoid 96 to deenergize the solenoid. The deenergization of solenoid 96 permits feed roller 88 to return to its normal position against the strip being fed and feed rollers 87 to again deliver the strip from the supply roll to the loop L. It should be noted that the parallel arrangement of the mercury switch circuits allows each solenoid 96 to be energized independently of the others. In this manner the feeding of each strip 98, 111 and 113 to its respective loop L is regulated as the independent need requires.

In the event that any of the three strips should break while feeding is taking place, provision is made to stop the printing operation as described hereinbefore. Refcrring again to Fig. 3b, it is seen that each of the mercury switches 110, 116 and 118 are arranged in series in a circuit through a relay R554. This relay has contacts located in series with the stop key contacts in the running circuit (not shown) of the printing machine and serves to stop the printing machine by opening its contacts Whenever any strip breaks to cause relay R554 to deenergize. A cut-out switch 212 (Fig. 3b) is also provided and is located in a wire 213 which extends from mercury switch 118 to line side 191. When switch 212 is closed, a break in either or both the galley and carbon strips will not cause relay R554 to deenergize since a circuit through relay R554 extends as follows: line side 190, switch 118, wire 213 to line side 191. This cut-out switch 212 is closed only when printing is desired on a single strip which is the Dick strip itself.

A switch 214 (Fig. 3b) is provided in a circuit extending from line side 190, through switch 214 and a relay R553 to line side 191. When the strip feeding apparatus of this invention is properly assembled to the printing machine, the contacts of switch 214 are closed to make relay R553 effective through the circuit traced above.

This relay in turn closes contacts in the starting circuit (not shown) of the printing machine so that the printing machine can start only when R553 is energized and printing can take place only when the strip feeding apparatus is properly positioned.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device'illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is: V

1. In a recording device for printing on an original web, a carbon and a duplicate web, each web being divided into form lengths, a platen over which said webs are drawn, means for printing related groups of impressions on each form length, a pair of feed rollers for line spacing the webs and located above said platen, a supply roll for each web, a pair of feed rollers to draw each web from its respective supply roll and advance it toward said platen while forming a loop between the last mentioned feed rollers and said platen, means to regulate the rate of advance of said webs to said platen including a plurality of contact actuating means operated by a change in size of said loops in related webs, means controlled thereby for separating and closing said feed rollers for drawing each web from its respective supply roll, and punching mechanism for perforating a locating hole at spaced intervals and coordinated with said feed rollers for line spacing to operate between printing on said original web, said punching mechanism including a punch and a clutch operative under control of the printing 19 means after each series of related printing operations to actuate said punch.

2. In a machine for recording on a record strip, a set of type carriers, a pair of positioning devices for said carriers, means for operating said positioning devices in alternate succession, means for analyzing a record card for designations in a pair of fields thereof, means controlled by said analyzing means for controlling the operation of said positioning devices to cause the designations in the pair of fields to be printed in succession, plate for supporting said strip to receive printing impressions from said type carriers, a supply roll for said strip, means for advancing said strip from said supply roll to said platen, means for cooperating with a variably sized loop which is formed in the strip between the supply roll and the platen, a contact actuating device operated by the loop cooperating means to actuate contacts when the loop lengthens to a predetermined length, a solenoid, means for energizing said solenoid upon actuation of said contacts, a toggle operated in response to energization of said solenoid, a pair of feed rollers in said advancing means and operated by said toggle to open or close on said strip to regulate the rate of feed of said strip, and a punching mechanism coordinated with said strip advancing means and operative under control of the printing means for perforating a locating hole at spaced intervals between each successive printing on said strip for designations in the pair of fields.

3. In a recording device for printing on an original web, a carbon and a duplicate web, each web being divided into form lengths, a platen over which said webs are drawn, means for printing related groups of impressions on each form length on said webs, a pair of feed rollers for line spacing the webs, a supply roll for each web, a pair of feed rollers to draw each web from its respective supply roll and advance it toward said platen while forming a loop between the feed rollers and said platen, means to regulate the rate of advance of said webs to said platen, including a bar extending into each loop and supported thereby, an electrical switch connected to each bar, each switch being operated by its respective bar when the size of the related loop is changed in related webs, means controlled thereby for separating and closing said feed rollers for drawing each web from its respective supply roll, and punching mechanism operative under control of the printing means for perforating a locating hole at spaced intervals and coordinated with said feed related printing on said original web.

4. In a machine for recording on a record strip, a set of type carriers, a pair of positioning devices for said carriers, means for operating said positioning devices in alternate succession, means for analyzing a record card for designations in a pair of fields thereof, means controlled by said analyzing means for controlling the operation of said positioning devices to cause the designations in the pair of fields to be printed in succession, a platen for supporting said strip to receive printing impressions from said type carriers, a supply roll for said strip, means for advancing said strip from said supply roll to said platen, means for cooperating with a variably sized loop which is formed in the strip between the supplyroll and the platen, a contact actuating device operated by the loop cooperating means to actuate contacts when the loop lengthens to a predetermined length, a solenoid, means for energizing said solenoid upon actuation of said contacts, a toggle operated in response to energiz ation of said solenoid, a pair of feed rollers in said advancing means and operated by said toggle to open or close on said strip to regulatethe rate of feed of said strip, and a punching mechanism coordinated with said strip advancing means for perforating a locating hole at spaced intervals between printing on said strip, said punching mechanism including a punch and a clutch, and means coordinated with the printing means to make the clutch effective to actuate said punch after each successive printing from designations in the pair of fields.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,455,976 Stevens May 22, 1923 1,964,874 Fankboner July 3, 1934 2,002,437 Maul May 21, 1935 2,119,339 Mayo May 31, 1938 2,189,027 Fuller Feb. 6, 1940 2,214,609 Drake Sept. 10, 1940 2,243,112 Morrissey May 27, 1941 2,485,254 Brewster Oct. '18, 1949. 2,521,435 Wockenfuss Sept. 5, 1950 2,636,729 Smith Apr. 28, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 613,471 Great Britain Nov. 29, 1948 828,031 France Ma 9, 1938 

